Health and Social Care

Impact of Community Divisions on Service Delivery

Divisions in our society are important.
Community divisions can impact on how services are provided, therefore it is important to take them into consideration when planning and providing services.
Community division may raise practical issues for example whether people across the community are willing to use a service in a particular area.

For example:

If a child health clinic is provided in a church hall, it may seem like a sound decision. However, that venue may provide a 'chill-factor' for the other section of the community. That in turn could realistically affect child immunisation rates in the area. It would seem reasonable to argue therefore, that child health needs to be conscious of such possibilities when monitoring services and service delivery

(Service Delivery in a Divided Society. Community Relations Council Article 'Providing a Service in a Divided Society' by Will Glendinning)

Another Example:

Grafitti on a facility which is derogatory may discourage members of a particular community from using a particular service.

In some situations it may be practicable to provide the same service in two different locations to service different communities. In other areas this may not be justified because of the relatively small population.
Various initiatives from both the statutory and voluntary sectors have been developed to improve community relations through service provisions.
The benefits of doing so is to deliver a better service.

Providing A Service In A Divided Society:

Does the make-up of the organisation, management, staff, people the organisation does business with, suppliers, clients, and so on, reflect the breakdown of the divide in the local community? If not, what action can be taken to redress this? Why is such action not being taken?

Are the organisation's services and facilities seen as being welcoming and accessible to those from all traditions and backgrounds?

Are the organisation's services and facilities seen as being 'neutral'? Does travel to and from them mean that people have to travel through 'foreign', or what might seem like 'hostile' territory? If this is the case, what can be done about outreach work going to other people in their territory to deliver the product/service?

In sending out information about the organisation, does it ensure that this is done through the different networks that operate in different communities such as newspapers, schools and advertising displays?

In its links with the local community, partnerships, open days, funding etc., does the organisation make a point of being seen as being involved with people from varying traditions and backgrounds?

Does the organisation have a policy to deal with personal harassment of staff, clients, suppliers and is the policy known about?

Is there training for managers and staff about sectarian issues and how they might affect the workplace and the organisation? Is this part of the normal induction process within the organisation?

(Source: Service Delivery in a Divided Society Community Relations Council Article' Providing a Service in a Divided Society' by Will Glendinning)

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